News

Since 1962, Great Lakes Theater (GLT) has brought the world’s greatest
plays to life for all of Cleveland. In its home at the historic Hanna Theatre in Playhouse Square, Great Lakes Theater strives, through its main stage
productions and education programs, "to bring the
pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest
possible audience."

For the last 25 years, Great Lakes Theater has been “bringing the classics to the community" each spring by presenting a free, professional touring production that visits venues throughout
northeast Ohio. Oftentimes bringing theater to unexpected places like retirement communities and neighborhood libraries, residents can experience professional theatre in their backyard, and make meaningful connections between classic theater and their own lives and communities.

This year, Great Lakes Theater will launch the world premiere of THE GREAT GLOBE ISTELF, which features a touring company of three Cleveland actors and is slated to visit 27 neighborhood venues between March 3 and April 2.

The free, sixty-minute production is "based in fact" and follows the dreams and reality of a man, whose performance on the replica stage of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre during Cleveland's 1938 Great Lakes Exposition inspires him to rebuild the original playhouse on the River Thames in London. Learn more about THE GREAT GLOBE ITSELF.

All performances (with the exception of those in area schools) are free and open to the public. See a full list of upcoming performances.

Great Lakes Theater has received support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture since 2008 through its General Operating Support program.